UVF leader charged with murder

Loyalist Mark Haddock was charged tonight with the murder of a 39-year-old man in 1997.

The 40-year-old UVF leader from North Belfast will appear in court in Belfast tomorrow accused of killing John Harbinson.

The Protestant was beaten to death in the Mount Vernon estate where Haddock’s notorious gang wielded power.

Haddock, who was arrested yesterday by detectives from the police’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET), was also charged with the attempted murder of a 37-year-old man and grevious bodily harm against a 37-year-old man.

The one-time informer for the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s Special Branch was taken into custody in Maghaberry Prison, where he is currently serving a 10-year jail term for attacking a nightclub doorman.